How much battle on Portuguese Sunday for Philipp Oettl and Team Go Eleven! The gap from the first eight positions was significantly reduced compared to yesterday, exciting overtaking and brakings, at turn five, one, thirteen! Another solid weekend in the books, here in Portimao the German rider confirmed the positive trend started since the summer break by constantly placing himself within the top ten positions; Aragon, Portimao…sweet last dance in Jerez?
In the Warm Up Philipp took to the track with the SC0, carrying out a final test to make the best tyre choice for the Superpole Race. Eighth time, constant and fast race, despite the traffic faced on some laps. A positive aspect are the improvements in the final sectors of Portimao, in which Philipp managed to close the gap on the riders fighting with him.
Warm Up:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.39.726
P 2 J. Rea + 0.647
P 3 M. Rinaldi + 0.907
…
P 8 P. Oettl + 1.149
Before the Superpole Race, the team and rider choose the rear tyre together; SCX, the softest available, in the hope that there won’t be a big drop at the end of the race. Oettl made a strong start, immediately entering the fight for the Top Ten. He fought in the group with Vierge and Gerloff, catching up to Bassani and Petrucci. He overtakes the latter, defending himself like a lion from the American. The two even touched twice at the last corner, managing to stay upright and lose a few tenths. Real race, when Vierge also gets involved, so much so that positions are constantly exchanged. The group manages to catch Axel, passing him at the end, but unfortunately Philipp loses at the finish line with Vierge for ninth position. Once again very close, but the improvement on the grid slips away by just a few cents.
Superpole Race:
P 1 A. Bautista 16’43.715
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.142
P 3 A. Locatelli + 4.024
…
P 10 P. Oettl + 11.230
In Race 2 Philipp got off to a good start, but then found himself all the way inside in turn one and turn four, losing many positions. Thanks to the contact between Rea, Vierge and Scott he recovers, then also overtaking Baldassarri and Ray in the first laps. Really fast, demonic race pace for the Ducati number 5, which at 40 highs, 41 lows overtakes Axel, chasing the group fighting for the Top 6. He closes by up to seven, eight tenths, but in the final laps he needs to slow down the pace slightly. Good performance, a solid and fast race with a small gap to the first, around twelve seconds. The German rider fought, recovered, defended himself and gave his all, not being discouraged after a complicated first lap!
Race 2:
P 1 A. Bautista 33’43.228
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.126
P 3 M. Rinaldi + 1.764
…
P 9 P. Oettl + 12.253
The trail of results that began in Magny-Cours is excellent, fast and determined races, always in the top ten, with exploits close to the Top 5! From the summer break Philipp has returned recharged and motivated, and the bike seems to follow him best on the Iberian tracks. One Round is missing from the season finale, Jerez, 27-29 October, where this 2023 began in January; in Andalusia Philipp has won and signed Pole Position in the past, the goal is the sweet ending we all want!
Philipp Oettl (Rider):“I am really happy with the races today, we fought inside the Top Ten and we were really close to the front guys, it’s a solid weekend overall, all the team and me worked really well, we never had problems. Today the win was 12 seconds ahead, the level here is unbelievable. I can’t wait to be in Jerez, let’s see what we can do there; it will be a completely different feeling compared to the beginning of the season, I really want to have a good season finale!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):“The step forward made in Aragon was largely confirmed, Philipp overtook and battled practically throughout the race, he was very clever in battle and what makes us happy is the very small gap from the winner. Considering that on the first lap we lost positions and seconds, I think this is even more positive. We want to finish the World Championship in Jerez with good memories and I think we will come there ready to have fun. Philipp loves that circuit, the conditions are good!”
 Quanta battaglia nella Domenica portoghese per Philipp Oettl ed il Team Go Eleven! Gap dalle prime otto posizioni nettamente ridotto rispetto a ieri, sorpassi e staccate emozionanti, alla cinque, alla uno, alla tredici! Altro solido weekend in bacheca, qui a Portimao il pilota tedesco ha confermato il trend positivo iniziato dalla pausa estiva piazzandosi costantemente all'interno delle prima dieci posizioni; Aragon, Portimao...dolce finale a Jerez? ){kind=link}